N. Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Waipa Post, Volume V, Issue 226, 4 July 1913, Page 3

N. Z. FARMERS' UNION.

PATERANGI BRANCH. (Own Correspondent.) The usual monthly meeting of the Paterangi branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union took nlaee last Thursday. The president, Mr W. G. Macky, in the chair with a good attendance of members. Telegrams in reply to protests were received from the Shaw, Savill and Albion companies, and Union Steamship Company, denying the existence of any compact between their company's and the Federation of Labour. Experimental Plots. A full list of the various crops to be grown under instructions given by Mr G. S. Bayliss, Fields lustrvctor, were supplied by the Provincial secretary.

The secretary notified that in future subscriptions of members of the association would be collected by the head office and forwarded to branch secretaries less the Provincial levy. A letter was received from Mr Primrose McConnell stating that he would give his promised address on July 17th. Re-print leaflets from the Ptikekohe Times and Auckland Star, bearing on co-operative auctioneering for the Lower Waikato and the boot trade, were received.

Mr J. Bjddie attended at the request of the branch, and delivered an address on farming interests. in his opening remarks Mr Boddie stated he had not prepared any special address, but just proposed to give an outline of the work done by the Farmers' Union. The speaker deplored the apathy shown by the average farmer in all matters other than the price of butter-fat or the next cow sale, and instanced the way the Farmers' Union had been piloted to its present position by a few men who had given, 111 the interests of their fellow-men, the best of both time, brains, and money. He urged members to bar party politics, and combine for their own interests. Mr Boddie quoted the late Mr R. J. Seddon's remarks on the Farmers' Union, and felt proud to say they had not been realised. He instanced the large and enthusiastic conference lately held in Auckland, and the power for good which that body was in the country, in giving a few of the examples where the Union had done good, he quoted the mutual fire insurance scheme, and what it had done towards reducing the fire rates. The speaker also illustrated what had been done in Denmark by combination, and by sticking together they would at once derive a direct benefit. He further urged members to take advantage of the opportunity given by the Agricultural Department for carrying out of different kinds of experimental plots. In proposing a vole of thanks the president referred to the pleasure it had given those present to listen to a very eloquent and instructive address.

Mr C. S. McCailum, in seconding the vote, endorsed Mr Mucky's remarks.

Mr Boddie, in replying, hoped that they would all meet again in the near future.